Potions are medicinal drinks with magical properties in The Legend of Zelda series.[1] They can heal Link, refill his Magic Meter, or both, as well as other unique effects. Potions are often contained in Bottles, in which case Link cannot buy or obtain a Potion unless he has an empty Bottle. In games without Bottles as items, Potions are standalone items.

Common Potions

These Potions, the Red, Green, and Blue Potions are the most common in The Legend of Zelda series, as they perform the most basic and relevant behaviors to Link: that of health replenishment, magical restoration, and for the most part, a combination of the two, respectively. They first appear in A Link to the Past, where they were called Medicines, and have been seen in the series numerous times since.

Red Potion

The Red Potion is the most prevalent concoction found in The Legend of Zelda series, seen often between the release of A Link to the Past, in which it was called Medicine of Life, to that of A Link Between Worlds. In all of its incarnations, it operates as a health Potion. It can be found in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, and most other games. The replenishment rate of this Potion differs and, notably, has recently declined in functionality in the past few games. From A Link to the Past to The Minish Cap, the Red Potion restores all of Link's hearts. However, with the release of Twilight Princess and eventually A Link Between Worlds, this Potion has fallen to restoring only eight hearts,[2] and had came to an all-time-low of a six heart restoration in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.[3] The DS games eliminated the need for Link to carry Red Potions in Bottles as their containers are provided. As seen in The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, it appears that Red Chu Jelly shares similar properties to the Red Potion.

Green Potion

The Green Potion, first introduced in A Link to the Past as Medicine of Magic, is the chemistry concoction that usually responds exclusively to the Magic Meter, restoring the entire magic bar, regardless of the meter's size. Often, this Potion can be bought in Potion shops alongside the Red Potion at a cheaper cost. Out of the three common Potions, Green Potion costs the least in terms of Rupees. In games that don not feature the magic bar, however, the Green Potion does not exist. In 3D console games, it appears in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and The Wind Waker. In The Wind Waker, it can be obtained once 15 spoils of Green Chu Jelly are given to Doc Bandam at the Chu Jelly Juice Shop, and can be bought for 10 Rupees after that.[4] A similarly green-colored Potion in Skyward Sword, called the Stamina Potion, completely replenishes Link's Stamina and slows its consumption rate. It can also be upgraded to completely prevent Stamina loss for a limited time.

Blue Potion

The Blue Potion is the "jack-of-all-trades" of its kind; in its most common form, it fully replenishes the Magic Meter and the majority, if not all, of Link's hearts. Blue Potions are often the most expensive purchase at a Potion shop, and rightly so, considering its dual replenishment qualities. It debuted in A Link to the Past as Medicine of Life and Magic or Cure-All Medicine, where it is available at the Magic Shop. Link can obtain it at the Potion Shop as an adult in Ocarina of Time. Majora's Mask requires Link to give Kotake a Mushroom before she will sell Blue Potions at the Magic Hags' Potion Shop. Similarly in The Wind Waker, Link must give 15 spoils of Blue Chu Jelly to Doc Bandam before he will begin selling Blue Potion at the Chu Jelly Juice Shop. Every time Link collects 4 Boko Baba Seeds, he can hand them over to Hollo of the Koroks and he will make a Blue Potion.

While the Blue Potion is usually associated with restoring both health and magic, it is seen in games with the absence of a Magic Meter. This Potion appears in The Minish Cap, where it is the first Potion available from Syrup's hut. It has only a healing value of ten hearts. It appears again in Twilight Princess, where it heals all of Link's hearts.[5] This Potion requires Link to have his own Bottle to be carried.

There are many other Potions which appear in the series in many forms, but most work in the same fashion as Red Potion, providing Link health. These Potions are usually red, but they do come in a variety of colors, especially in recent Zelda titles. The amount of life these Potions restore to Link also varies, as well as their names. While most Potions are used manually, some act as some Fairies do, refilling Link's health when he is devoid of hearts. Most of these Potions do not require a Bottle to be obtained.

Life Potion

Life Potion appears in The Legend of Zelda and is a blue drink that Link can purchase for 40 Rupees from any Old Woman in a Cave after he has shown one of them the Letter.[6] If Link uses a Life Potion, he will drink it, restoring all of his Hearts.[7] Life Potions only have one use while blue, but can be used twice if Link purchases it as the red variety known as 2nd Potion.

Water of Life

The Water of Life is a potion in The Adventure of Link that is hidden in a Cave just west of the Midoro Palace and must be given to an Old Woman in the Harbor Town of Mido who asks Link for his help in saving her sick daughter.[8] To enter the Cave, Link must have the Hammer to break the Boulder sealing it. The Water of Life itself is guarded by three Dairas. After returning the Medicine to the elderly woman, she rewards Link by allowing him inside her house,[9] where he meets an Old Man who teaches him the Fairy magic.[10]

Secret Medicine

In Link's Awakening, Link can purchase Secret Medicine from Crazy Tracy. This is the first Potion to work automatically, as it will activate when Link loses all of his hearts, completely refilling them, and then it will disappear from his inventory.[11]

Magic Potion

The Magic Potion is identical to effect of the Secret Medicine. This red-colored Potion can be found in Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages. In these games, it can be obtained through purchase from Syrup's shop, by taking it if Maple drops one, or as contents of a Gasha Nut. In either game, only one of these Potions can be held at once. The Magic Potion is consumed automatically when Link would otherwise die, filling all of his lost hearts instantly.[12][13] In Oracle of Ages, a Magic Potion is also used to cure King Zora of his deathly illness.[14]

Tings

Tings are Potions in The Wind Waker that are accessible only when using the Tingle Tuner. Link can purchase three types of Tings from Tingle, which correspond to the usual effects of the Red, Green, and Blue Potions for 20, 30, or 60 Rupees, respectively. Once bought, Tingle will deliver the Ting to Link by balloon, as seen on the Game Boy Advance screen, which will instantly replenish all his hearts, his magic, or both depending on the color bought. Further participation in Tingle's sidequests will cause Tingle to cut his prices.

Chu Jelly

While Chu Jelly is used to make Potions in The Wind Waker, it can be used directly after defeating Chuchus in Twilight Princess. Link merely has to scoop the Jelly up with a Bottle before using it. Depending on the color, Chu Jelly will have the same effects as Potions of the same in color in the game. Purple Chu Jelly has random effects, which will either replenish or decrease Link's health. Yellow Chu Jelly cannot be drunk, and is instead used as a substitute to Lantern Oil. Rare Chu Jelly shares the same effects as Great Fairy's Tears, refilling all of Link's health and boosting his sword's strength until he receives damage.

Purple Potion

Purple Potions are an uncommon type of Potion that appear in Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks and A Link Between Worlds. Their usage varies between games. In Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, they replenish eight Hearts, and also revive Link when he collapses in battle, fulfilling a similar role to the Secret Medicine and Magic Potion, as well as Fairies.[15] In A Link Between Worlds, it instead unleashes a powerful attack that damages all enemies in the immediate area.[16] While all Potions in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks come in their own flasks, the Purple Potion in A Link Between Worlds must be kept in a separate Bottle.

Yellow Potion

Yellow Potions are another uncommon type of Potion that appear in Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks and A Link Between Worlds. They are among the most powerful Potions in the series, as they restore all Hearts in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks,[17] while in A Link Between Worlds they turn Link invincible to all enemy attacks for a short period of time. Like the Purple Potion in the former two games, it comes in its own flask, but must be kept in a Bottle in A Link Between Worlds.

Potions in Skyward Sword

Skyward Sword's Potion collection is unique in having mostly new Potions added to the collection. These can be bought from Luv at her Potion Shop at the Bazaar, and can be upgraded by giving Bertie the proper Insects to infuse into the Potion at his Infusion Shop, powering up their effects.

If Link has a Potion Medal equipped in his Adventure Pouch, the effects of a Potion that runs on a timer will last longer.[18] The effects of one of each type of these Potions can be taken for concurrent bonuses: for example, taking the Stamina and Guardian Potions before starting Lanayru's Lightning Round can make it much easier to complete.

Energy Potion

In A Link Between Worlds, the Energy Potion is used to quickly refill the Energy Gauge. Unlike other Potions in the game, it is not a Potion that is purchased and stored in a Bottle, but can instead be found in areas that require large usage of the Energy Gauge, such as in dungeons or Treasure Hunter rooms. It immediately refills the Energy Gauge when picked up, making it more similar to Magic Jars than typical Potions. In dungeons, these Potions are usually found inside purple-colored pots or skulls.

Potion Shops

There have been several Potion brewers throughout The Legend of Zelda series, and they use different ingredients to create their Potions. Syrup, a witch who has appeared in several games, apparently uses Mushrooms to create her Potions, and so do Kotake and Koume in Majora's Mask and possibly Granny from Ocarina of Time. In The Wind Waker, Doc Bandam from Windfall Island uses Chu Jelly obtained from ChuChus to create different Potions, while Hollo the Korok uses the magic inside Boko Baba Seeds to make Blue Potions.

In the games in which these characters don not appear, the origin of Potions is unknown, although in Twilight Princess, it is possible that at least some of them are made with Chu Jelly as in The Wind Waker. Evidence for this is that the remains of a defeated ChuChu leaves a blob that when scooped into a Bottle will act as a Potion. However, Trill states that Red Potion is made from a mix of mushrooms and herbs.

Other Appearances

The Legend of Zelda Game & Watch

In The Legend of Zelda Game Watch, Link may carry a single bottle of the Water of Life at a time. This bottle will contain a single dose of the Potion, which will automatically heal Link to the maximum five hearts if he should die.[19] The Water of Life can also be used voluntarily at any point.[19]

Ancient Stone Tablets

Gold Potions appear in Ancient Stone Tablets, the Satellaview sequel to A Link to the Past. As well as replenishing both health and magic, it temporarily allows the Hero of Light to charge Spin Attacks twice as quickly and makes them twice as strong with sword attacks until the first hit.

Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland

In Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, Tingle can craft various Potions for use. One of the Potions he can brew is the Hand Potion, which can be sprinkled on hand statues in dungeons to whisk Tingle immediately away out of them. Another type of Potion Tingle can create are several Power-Up Potions. These Potions works in the same way as health Potions, and can only be used on Bodyguards hired through a Bodyguard Salon. Power-Up Potions will restore some or all of a Bodyguards' hearts so long as they still have some health remaining.[20] They, however, cannot be used on Tingle, whose health has been replaced by Rupees, or Drifter Bodyguards.

Heals all of any bodyguard's health. Can be sold to the Guard for 1400 Rupees.

Tingle can also create other products that can be seen as similar to Potions, such as medicines, perfumes, and soups and stews. Most of these, however, provide no magical properties and only have value as items to be sold.

The Legend of Zelda (Valiant Comics)

The Water of Life appears in the The Legend of Zelda comics by Valiant Comics. In "Trust Me", after the townsfolk of the Water Town of Saria build a dam following Zelda's advice since their land was infertile, the dam unfortunately does not work and the princess comes to the conclusion that the land is cursed. At that moment, Ganon appears and presents a bottle which contains the magical Water of Life,[21] and says that it will heal Saria's fields.[22] However, he refuses to give it over until Link is captured, and the desperate citizens do so to obtain the Water of Life from the Prince of Darkness.[23]

The Faces of Evil

In The Faces of Evil, Water of Life is used to recover Link's health and is the only form of recovery during a stage. Link can carry Water of Life inside of Canteens he receives from certain characters. The Canteen can be refilled by Hamsha and the Fairies of Spearfish Falls, as well as by bottles of Water of Life found in Fortress Centrum, Glutko, Lupay and Serigon Caves. If Link does not have a Canteen, then the Water of Life they give will simply restore his health.

The Wand of Gamelon

Water of Life is used in The Wand of Gamelon to recover Zelda's health. It is the only way to recover health during a stage. Zelda can carry Water of Life inside of Canteens she receives from certain characters. The Canteen can be refilled by the Fairies of the Fairy Pool. If Zelda does not have a Canteen, then the Water of Life they give will simply restore her health.

Zelda's Adventure

In Zelda's Adventure, Zelda can purchase Life Potions from a number of Merchants around Tolemac for 200 Rupees. They fully restore Zelda's health when consumed. She may only carry one Potion at a time.

Hyrule Warriors

Potions in Hyrule Warriors appear as both usable items and as special Mixtures that can be crafted in the Bazaar's Apothecary which will give temporary boosts to certain attributes of a Warrior for the duration of the next battle.

As items, Potions can be used in battle to recover a Warrior's health. These cannot be used unless a Warrior has a Bottle Badge crafted, and multiple Bottle Badges can be crafted to allow a Warrior more Potion uses. The type and quality of Potions is increased by the number of Illustration Pieces collected, with more pieces resulting in higher quality Potions. Higher quality Potions will restore more hearts, as well as restore the Special Attack gauge. Red, Purple, Blue, Green, and Yellow Potions exist, and are unlocked in that order.

Mixtures crafted in the Apothecary provide Warriors with a specified boost that lasts for the duration of the next battle. These can range from increased rates in weapon or Material drops, a boost in a Warrior's attack power, allowing a Warrior to break an enemy's guard, and many others. Mixtures require Rupees and a certain amount of Materials to be crafted. As more Illustration Pieces are acquired, more Mixtures are unlocked.

↑"I'm sorry, but could you bring these [Green Chu Jelly globs] to me in groups of...oh, say, about fifteen? You see, I can't make any potion without a specific minimum amount of Chu Jelly...and I can't accept any until you've got enough for me. Sorry. Really, I am." — Doc Bandam (The Wind Waker)

↑"You got some blue potion! Set it to and use it with Y or X to replenish all of your hearts." — N/A (Twilight Princess)

↑"Letter to little old lady / When you choose this letter at the sub menu and press button B, Link can show the letter to the little old lady who lives inside one of the many caves." (Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 23)

↑"Water of Life / Drink this and all of Link's LIFE hearts will turn red. Red water turns blue when Link sips it. Drink the blue water and that's the last of the water." (The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 25)

↑"Magic Potion / If you have a Magic Potion, your life energy will be completely replenished the instant it reaches zero. A Magic Potion is very useful, but it can be used only once, and you can carry only one at a time. [...] It is rumored that a witch makes and sells Magic Potions in her shop in some far-off corner of the world." (Oracle of Ages manual, pg. 43)

↑"You got the Potion Medal! Carry this with you to prolong the effects of a potion. If you've got this, remember to pack lots of potions!" — N/A (Skyward Sword)

↑ 19.019.1"This is automatically used when Link's life has reached zero and revives him with up to five hearts. It can also be used whenever you need it by pressing the bottom of the + Control Pad to revive LINK's life to its maximum. However, Link can have only one bottle on him at one time and it can be used only once." (Zelda (Game & Watch) manual, pg. 9)

↑""Watch The Hearts" - You have to hear this! Make your Bodyguard work too hard and they'll collapse. You could be in real trouble if it's a dangerous place. So before things come to that... ...as the employer, you should always have a supply of power-up potions... if you throw it at your Bodyguard, they'll recover... You can throw it so it hits them, or get them to walk over it... Basically, as long as they touch the potion, they will feel its effects... Of course... You can also pay rupees to get your Bodyguard to recover their energy... But if you don't want to lose rupees, make sure you always carry power-up potions. But remember, once they have collapsed, it's too late to give them any power-up potion... Make sure you get it to them before that!" — Salona (Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland)

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